Medieval Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ascended Delhi’s throne on March 23, 1351, introduced four taxes based on Islamic law: kharaj (land tax), khams (one-fifth of spoils of war), jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and zakat (2% on property). The kharaj, or land tax, was the precursor to the first irrigation tax, equalling one tenth of the land produce. This first irrigation tax marked a significant shift in the economic policy of the Sultanate and had a lasting impact on Indian agriculture.

Notes:
Horses were the biggest import to Vijayanagar Empire, imported mainly from West Asia including Balkh, Herat, and Bukhara. They were brought to improve cavalry breeds as local horses were unsuitable for warfare. Traveler Fernão Nunes recorded purchases at three horses for 1,000 pardaos, with annual expenditures up to 30,000 pardaos. The horse trade was managed by local merchants called Kudirai Chettis.

Notes:
Bundelkhand region was known as Jejakabhukti in early Medieval India. The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti ruled the region between the 9th and 13th centuries. The Chandelas were a dynasty in Central India, and belonged to the Chandel clan of the Rajputs. Their capital city was Khajuraho, which was later changed to Mahoba. Their important fort was Kalinjar.
The early medieval period in India lasted from the 6th to the 13th century. The late medieval period lasted from the 13th to the 16th century, ending with the start of the Mughal Empire in 1526.

Notes:
Rajatarangini is a metrical legendary and historical chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir.  It was written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri historian Kalhana in the 12th century CE. It was translated into Persian by the orders of the later Muslim ruler Zain-ul-Abidin.

Notes:
Muhammad bin Qasim, who was the first Muslim to have successfully invaded Sindh in 712 AD was commander of Umayyad Caliphate general, who, during the reign of Caliph al-Walid I led the Muslim conquest of Sindh and Multan. He was able to defeat the third and the last Maharaja of the Brahmin dynasty, Raja Dahir. Raja Dahir was killed in the Battle of Aror.

Notes:
The Battle of Chandawar (1193 or 1194) was fought between Muhammad Ghori and Jaichand of Kannauj of the Gahadavala dynasty. It took place at Chandawar on the Yamuna River close to Agra. Jaichand was defeated, giving Muhammad control of much of northern India.

Notes:
Ustad Mansur as a painter started his career during the last few years of Akbar`s reign as a minor painter. However, later he flourished during the time of Jahangir.
Ustad Mansur was a leading painter in Emperor Jahangir’s court who was famous for depicting plants and animals. Most important paintings were of Siberian Crane and Dodo. The latter was an important source of reference for Zoologists till date. The Siberian Crane painted on paper is highly intricate showing the wrinkles on the bare skin, the legs and a small feather stuck to the claw.

Notes:
Varaha was a gold coin issued by the Vijayanagar Empire featuring the boar emblem. It was minted during the reigns of rulers like Harihara II and Krishnadevaraya between the 14th and 16th centuries CE. Tara was a silver coin, and Kakini was a copper coin used in the empire.

Notes:
In 1571 AD, Mughal emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar laid the foundation of Fatehpur Sikri near Agra in the honour of  Sufi saint Hazrat Shaikh Saleemuddin Chishti, who was popularly known as Salim Chisti.

Notes:
In 1605 AD, after the death of Mughal emperor Akbar, his son Jahangir sit on the throne at Agra and took the title Nur-ud-din Jahangir Padshah Ghazi.